If geopolitics is important in the world of chess, a Chinese player is world champion for the first time in history. Ding Liren was proclaimed champion this Sunday in Astana thanks to his victory in the tie-break against his Russian rival Ian Nepomniachtchi, becoming the first Chinese player to win this title.
Ding succeeds Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, who refused to defend the crown he had held since 2013. Ding and Nepomniachtchi were even after 14 long games starting in early April. Ding and ‘Nepo’ fought a fierce battle, which will be remembered more for the setting and the multiple twists than for the precision of the two players’ blows.
After a draw at the end of the 14 slow games scheduled (3 wins, 8 draws, 3 losses), the 30-year-old Chinese Grandmaster won in the fourth rapid game of the last day.
Never had a player from their country won this title, while Chinese players have dominated the women’s competition since the 1990s. Ju Wenjun is the current world champion and will face her compatriot Lei Tingjie in July to defend her title.
